Floors and Coverings

Crane-hoisted panels get a floor in fast, flat, and cut for ducts and utilitiesby Fernando Pagés Ruiz

Too much floor deflection can be troublesomeby Mike Guertin, David Grandpré

Proof that a home can be more livable and more versatile without more costby Dave Otte

by Charles Peterson

Radiant-panel systems a carpenter can install are perfect under a wood floorby Rick Arnold

Requirements for floor and wall framing, and moreby Redwood Kardon, Michael Casey, Douglas Hansen

Comfortable quarters for a family of five on a postage-stamp lot in Houston, but for only $70 per square footby Carlos Ulloa

Whether it's the floor of a big house or a small addition, an accurate layout promotes smooth installationby Jim Anderson

Guidelines for working efficiently and knowing how good is good enoughby Larry Haun

A simple palette of natural materials complements a comfortable home in a dramatic settingby Karen Tanaka

Even if the foundation is not square or level, getting the mudsills right will get you back on trackby Jim Anderson

Everything from rafters to kitchen cabinets fits better when you get the walls square and the studs in the right placesby John Spier

For a sturdy, long-lasting deck, size the joists correctly for the anticipated load and space them accordinglyby Scott Schuttner

Establishing a sound connection between the house, the foundation, and the earth is crucial. These foundation fundamentals can help get you started.by Larry Haun

by David Grandpré

Cementitious backerboard speeds up the job, but start with a subfloor that is firm and flatby Dennis Hourany

If you do the layout carefully and precut all the joists, the floor will go together quickly like a giant jigsaw puzzleby Rick Arnold, Mike Guertin

Whether you're building a new house or remodeling an old one, engineered lumber can give you squeak-free floors with fewer callbacksby Rick Arnold, Mike Guertin

By paying attention to some basic details, you can avoid the framing mistakes that building inspectors encounter most frequentlyby Rick Tyrell